The wedding:
Was organised through Bali Weddings International. They were excellent and I cannot thank them enough for making the day perfect. They knew it was a secret and were very discrete about it. I wish I could say the same about the rest of people involved there. No one at home knew nor did Chris's sister (Deb), Niece (Kelly) or my daughter (Monica). When we checked in the hotel gave me an envelope from BWI right in front of Chris's sister (even though I had emailed them ahead and told them what was going on) and she thought we had the honeymoon suite! I had to tell her it was just the hotel trying to get more money out of us...lol. We got married on the Friday 25th June and had arranged a day out for the girls with Elvy's to Kintamani, etc. We told them we didn't want to go as we'd seen it before. Off we went to the Aussie Consulate and BWI to finalise arrangements.
I had organised a room near the helipad with the hotel and was to meet the ladies who were doing hair, makeup and dressing me (in Kabaya..Balinese Temple costume) to meet me in the foyer at 2.30pm. The Kabaya was delivered Wednesday to the reception which I tried on and left in reception until Friday. Explaining everything to them was a total nightmare. Anyway on the day we went our in the morning and then lunch where I made it clear I had a headache (fake of course)so we rested at the pool after lunch. We had told the others that we were going to a swanky place for dinner and had to get dressed up and that they had their own bus that goes around picking up guests at their hotels. We were to be picked up at 4.00. All going nicely at this time and all believing what we were telling them.
At 2.20pm I disappeared from the pool back up to my room to grab what I needed then back to the foyer to meet the dressing ladies. No one missed me for ½ hour or so! Chris organised them to go and get changed for dinner telling them I had a headache and I'd goneContinued...
Food:
Eat at some great places. Breaky at Legian Garden a few days where Wayan (F) remembered me after 3 years. I was really amazed with her memory. Always good value at 12500 for all you can eat! Other places were Huston across from Kartika Plaza Hotel was the best pancakes Bali. Often ate there as it was too hard to get to Legian. The hotel Buffett was a rip off at 88000 + tax ea so we never ate there. Lunch at SA Café was nice and quiet. The Kul Kul Swim up pool bar at Kartika was really good food also but makes that rule of not swimming for an hour after eating seem a little silly when you're actually in the pool eating. Lol. Agung or Adung in Ubud for lunch was brilliant with the best views of the Agung river and rice paddies. Blue Point at Uluwatu was also absolutely grand to have lunch at with the best views of the surfers. Gateway to India Seminyak was the best value and I had read it didn't look much but over look that and go in. What a surprise. It was so good and so cheap. We ordered up big which was and entrée each, main each, rice and breads for all 5, drinks for all 5 all up around 400000rp. The Living Room was as usual very special but Gado Gado was even better. Paduk Café in Jimmy Bay was pretty good too. Lobster was 295000 per kilo when we went and was cooked to perfection. Chi Chi's Mexican in Tuban was good and good value. Un's in Kuta was excellent and they have the best frozen Margeritta's in Bali. We sampled them everywhere! Couldn't get into Poppies. Indo National was also good value and nice. We didn't really have a bad meal anywhere the whole time.
Shopping:
Geneva was worth the visit. Nearly filled the trolley with stuff and had lots of fun. Rani's Shop at the Flea Market in Tuban was good. No bartering if you tell her you can't be bothered with that so she asks you how much. That particular market is doing it hard. We went there specifically as we had made friends with a few of the stall holders 3 years ago but it's half closed now. Found one of the old store holders who sold wooden stuff in another market and he remembered us from last time before we even opened our mouths. He is getting married this week. Ramanyana as usual was the best bargain place to shop for good clothes and shoes. We got some real bargains there. French leather made 3 coats, shoes and wallets for us but will not go there again. There prices are the same as everywhere else (except Dolphins which are more expensive) and when we got home compared the products with the Dolphin products which were better made and better fitted. It also took 3 times for them to get all 3 jackets right. Matt was also very cocky in saying he is number 1 on the Bali Travel Forum (which we didn't even mention anything about the forum whilst there!) which I didn't like.
Weather:
3 years ago at the same time it was blue skys every day and hot hot hot. This time rained at night a little. A few overcast days. Nights a little cooler. Our washing even dried on the balcony most days/nights.
Must go back to work so I'll post more later.
Cheers,
Jody
to be alone for a while. I'd be back before we had to go. In the meantime it's approaching 3.00pm and the ladies were nowhere to be seen. Starting to panic now! I asked for the key to my other room and went to wait nervously. 3.15pm now the helicopter is coming at 4.00 and still no one. Almost crying now then saved by the knock on the door at 3.20pm. They had been waiting at the other room!!!!! But no one suspected still. A mad rush now to get ready and by 3.55pm all done. Thanks God!!!!!
Chris has taken the others to the front to meet 'the driver' but has then told them he's meeting them at the back of the hotel. When nearly there he told them it was a surprise and that we were going out to dinner via Helicopter! They were so excited and this has all been video taped as we had every day. I was, by this time, watching them all out of the balcony doors without them seeing me. The first helicopter landed and I watched the 3 girls board. Chris had told them not to worry, I'd be there by the 2nd helicopter landed and he'll see them there. They still had no idea! They left and the second Helicopter came. I came out in my Balinese outfit and didn't even look like myself. We took off the that secluded beach somewhere near Uluwatu. The ride was fantastic. The girls were waiting and still had no idea. Apparently they were wondering were the restaurant was though...lol. When we landed and they saw my flowers it clicked. They were so amazed. Chris and I have been together for 12 years and I don't think they ever expected us to get married. Anyway it was very windy but lovely and in ½ hour we were married. Flew back and went to dinner at Gado Gado which was sensational. We had no cake but the Chef made up a complimentary little caramel crème thingy with congratulations on it which was really sweet of them. Off home then to continue our holiday as Husband & wife.
Any questions just ask.
Cheers,
Jody